The Philippines and Canada are stepping up both security and economic cooperation, highlighted by the signing of a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) and the advancement of discussions toward a possible Philippines-Canada Free Trade Agreement (FTA), officials said following the 7th Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) meeting held Feb. 12 at the Department of Foreign Affairs.
The twin developments come at a time of heightened geopolitical uncertainty — from tensions in the South China Sea affecting the Philippines’ security outlook to shifting economic alignments in North America that are prompting Canada to diversify its trade and strategic partnerships.
Against this backdrop, Manila and Ottawa are moving to strengthen both defense coordination and economic integration as part of a broader effort to reinforce a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific.
Undersecretary for Policy Leo M. Herrera-Lim, who led the Philippine delegation, pointed to the growing momentum in bilateral ties, citing the recently concluded visiting forces pact and progress in trade negotiations as key milestones.
“The Philippines considers Canada a credible, reliable, and principled partner, in supporting both our bilateral and collective efforts in promoting peace and security in the region,” he said.
“We share Canada’s enthusiasm in increasing and further exploring other areas of cooperation,” Undersecretary Herrera-Lim added.
Assistant Deputy Minister for Indo-Pacific Weldon Epp, who led the Canadian delegation, also underscored the importance of closer collaboration.
As vibrant democracies, he said, both countries’ values and interests are aligned, noting the need to work together to advance mutual priorities.
The SOVFA, concluded in November 2025, allows Canadian troops to train and participate in exercises in the Philippines and vice versa, placing Canada alongside existing Philippine defense partners such as the United States, Australia, Japan, and New Zealand. The agreement is seen as a concrete step toward strengthening deterrence, enhancing disaster response coordination, and expanding maritime security cooperation.
The JCBC meeting also highlighted progress toward a bilateral free trade agreement — a move that reflects both countries’ interest in diversifying markets and building more resilient supply chains.
For Canada, expanding economic links with Southeast Asia aligns with its Indo-Pacific Strategy and efforts to reduce reliance on traditional trade partners.
For the Philippines, deeper access to Canadian markets supports its push to attract investments and position itself as a gateway to the region.
Delegates discussed expanding cooperation in energy security, critical minerals, and cybersecurity — areas that are increasingly strategic as global supply chains shift and countries seek trusted partners for resource development and digital infrastructure.
A relationship anchored in people and trade
Canada-Philippines relations have steadily broadened over the past decades, supported by strong people-to-people ties and growing economic exchanges.
Two-way merchandise trade reached roughly US$3.4 billion in 2023, with Philippine exports estimated at about US$2.2 billion and Canadian exports at around US$1.2 billion. Services trade has also been significant, valued at approximately C$2.6 billion in 2023, making the Philippines Canada’s second most important export market in ASEAN.
Canadian firms continue to maintain a presence in Philippine economic zones, employing thousands of workers in sectors such as electronics, IT-BPM, and manufacturing.
Canada has also committed more than C$76 million in development funding for projects in climate resilience, disaster risk reduction, and inclusive growth.
Since 1986, Ottawa has provided over C$1 billion in official development assistance to the Philippines, supporting governance programs, climate-smart agriculture, public health, and peace-building initiatives, particularly in the Bangsamoro region.
Beyond trade and development, the relationship is reinforced by migration and education links. Canada hosts a large and growing Filipino community, estimated at close to one million people, while tens of thousands of Filipinos study in Canadian institutions each year.
Responding to an evolving global landscape
Both sides acknowledged the rapidly changing international environment and reaffirmed their commitment to upholding international law, freedom of navigation, and stability in the Indo-Pacific — issues that have taken on greater urgency amid tensions in the South China Sea.
The JCBC, created in 2012, serves as a platform to review progress and identify new areas of cooperation. At the latest meeting, officials from both countries also discussed collaboration in labor and migration, consular affairs, health, education, space, and indigenous peoples’ programs.
They also reaffirmed shared support for a rules-based international order and closer coordination as partners in multilateral platforms such as the United Nations, APEC, and ASEAN-related mechanisms.
Other senior members of the Philippine delegation included DICT Undersecretary Julius Gorospe, DFA Office of American Affairs Assistant Secretary Raquel R. Solano, Philippine Ambassador to Canada Jose Victor V. Chan-Gonzaga, DFA Maritime and Oceans Affairs Assistant Secretary Emmanuel Donato K. Guzman, DENR Assistant Secretary Noralene Uy, and DEPDev Assistant Secretary Jonathan Uy.
The Canadian delegation included Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines David Hartman and Jason Tolland, Special Advisor to Global Affairs Canada for the Indo-Pacific.